contest as to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contest as to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a dispute or competition regarding a specific issue or topic. Example: "There was a contest as to who would be the best candidate for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It was no contest as to where the fun was.

The Guardian

The Convention seemed a contest as to who could slug the Democrats the hardest.

The New Yorker

Late night has always held special appeal for young men in particular, but it is no longer a contest as to where this group's late-night preferences lie.

The New York Times

But between the bogus balloon and the banks' bubble, there's no contest as to which did the most damage to the country.

The New York Times

I was also legal counsel to Soviet Jews, and in my experience it was a close contest as to whether the F.B.I. or the K.G.B. was worse in violating human rights.

The New York Times

The existence of a law targeting and criminalising homosexuality makes for an untenable contradiction; there can be no contest as to whether the Indian state should uphold its own constitution or keep dithering over the nonexistent merit of vicious 19th-century disciplinary frameworks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The aim was to ensure a more consistent contest as well as to prevent injury.Perhaps not surprisingly, last year's refinement seems to have made little difference.

The Economist

The Cook Political Report rated the contest as likely to go to the Democratic column, and Ms. Duffy said that an incumbent was almost never rated even close to losing "unless he's indicted".

The New York Times

You'd be hard-pressed to find a photo of his face online, and the beaded masks he wears in public periodically spawn Twitter contests as to who can pull off the best "Anas look".

The Guardian

The first, Terezin, was the Red Cross demonstration camp, and so they were on their best behavior, 30,000 died of starvation, and the guards had contests as to who could cut the most throats.

Huffington Post

Indeed, in February 2016, Speaker Ryan went before Heritage Action, a tea party allied group, and said it was time for conservatives to quit fighting among themselves and to win by engaging in an "ideas contest" as opposed to a "personality contest".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contest as to" when you want to emphasize a dispute or competition regarding a specific issue, particularly when detailing the subject of the contention. It is suitable for formal and neutral registers.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "contest as to" in very informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "dispute about" or "competition over" to maintain a natural tone in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contest as to" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing the subject of a dispute, competition, or debate. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct. It serves to specify what is being contested.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contest as to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the subject of a dispute or competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It is most commonly found in news and media, Wiki entries and scientific articles, maintaining a neutral register. While effective in formal and neutral contexts, simpler alternatives like "dispute regarding" or "competition over" may be more appropriate for informal settings. This phrase highlights the disputed nature of the subject matter, framing the discussion around the contention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dispute regarding

Replaces "contest" with "dispute", focusing on the disagreement aspect.

competition over

Replaces "contest" with "competition", highlighting the competitive aspect.

debate concerning

Shifts the focus to a formal discussion or argument.

argument about

Indicates a disagreement or quarrel about a specific subject.

question of

Frames the situation as a query or uncertainty.

issue regarding

Highlights the matter or problem under consideration.

contention concerning

Emphasizes the controversial or disputed nature of the subject.

rivalry over

Focuses on the competitive relationship between parties.

struggle for

Highlights the effort and determination involved in the competition.

disagreement on

Highlights the lack of consensus or accord.

FAQs

How can I use "contest as to" in a sentence?

You can use "contest as to" to indicate a dispute or competition regarding a specific issue. For example: "There was a "contest as to" which method was most effective."

What are some alternatives to "contest as to"?

Alternatives include "dispute regarding", "competition over", or "debate concerning" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "contest about" instead of "contest as to"?

While "contest about" is understandable, "contest as to" is generally considered more formal and precise, especially in written English. Consider the register of your writing when choosing between them.

What's the difference between "contest as to" and "question of"?

"Contest as to" implies a dispute or competition, while "question of" simply indicates a matter to be resolved or considered. Use "contest as to" when there's an active disagreement or competition, and "question of" when the issue is more about uncertainty or inquiry.